Living Unabridged

Lots to do and lots of links so let's get to it:

Learning

• I love when homeschooling works like this: Connections by Amy at Hope is the Word.
• 5 Ways to Strip Away Labels and Encourage a Love of Learning by Laura Thomas for Simple Homeschool.
• "The Book is a Lot Better Than the Movie" - Usually from Redeemed Reader. I like these examples of the exception to the rule.
• I don't agree with everything in this article (and I think at least one point isn't supported by evidence) but I agree with the fundamental point that government isn't the answer: Put Public Education Out of Its Misery Already by Erik Lidstrom at The Federalist. At any rate, I'd like to read his book.

Living

• What's Simplicity? A State of Not Being Driven Nuts by Kristen at The Frugal Girl. This is something I've been wrestling with too and I appreciate these thoughts.
• Somewhat related: I Practice Simple Living But I Still Love My Stuff by Sarah Bessey for The Art of Simple. YES. (See also: What Marie Kondo and L.M. Montgomery Taught Me About Homemaking.)
• Nominal Christianity Will Fail You When Suffering Hits by Vermon Pierre at TGC. Adapted from his book. One great quote:
  

  Whatever you think you can gain from an hour or so on Sunday morning will crumble in the face of the many difficult hours you’ll experience when profound pain arrives.

• How Do You Grieve a Friendship When You Never Wanted to Let it Die? by Laura Turner. Friendship has definitely been trickier as an adult than I thought it would be.
• Gas Station Sludge or Hand Crafted Java? Which Do You Prefer? by Jennifer Deibel at The Better Mom. A helpful reminder not to settle. (And no, it's not just about coffee.)
• Several posts I saved this week seemed to have a loosely connected theme of Millennials, Purpose, and Fear:
  • 6 Myths Millennials Believe About Purpose by Jesse Carey at Relevant.
  • Dear Millennials: Stop Whining and Do Your Job by Neal Dewing at The Federalist. A pointed response to a recent post by a millennial.
  • Fear of Missing Out Isn't Just a Season by Michelle Van Loon at CT.
  • On Finding the Nature of YOUR Talent from Modern Mrs. Darcy.
  • From the Top of the Proverbial Hill by Kat Lee at The Art of Simple. This one is inspirational! (I totally need to make myself a "sports movie montage playlist".)

Loving

• Playboy was in the news this week because they've changed their policies about what they show (and don't). Here's a collection of related posts about why this is not a good development: Why It's Not A Victory by John Thompson at Think Christian; Playboy's New Policy is Bad News by Rich Cromwell and Mollie Hemingway at The Federalist; and Playboy's Move is Actually a Bad Sign by Aaron Cline Hanbury at Relevant. I think most are in agreement that this is not a positive development.
• This is What the Perfect House Looks Like (Room by Room) According to Pinterest. "Instead of big mansions or little cozy cabins in the woods, it seems the most popular “dream home” is a family home that balances majesty with simplicity." Yes, I find balancing majesty with simplicity is quite the trick. {wink}
• The Surprising Geography of American Left-Handedness from The Washington Post. As the mom of two lefties (so far), I find studies like this fascinating.
• Speaking of fascinating this photo essay about Fukushima now is amazing (and kind of heart breaking).

From Living Unabridged:

• Write Well App for Learning to Write Well

One Year Ago I was still sharing my 31 Days series:

• 31 Authors Children Love: Wanda Ga'g
• 31 Authors Children Love: Theodore Geisel
• 31 Authors Children Love: Margaret Bloy Graham
• 31 Authors Children Love: Russell Hoban
• 31 Authors Children Love: Rachel Isadora
• 31 Authors Children Love: Ruth Krauss

What do you have planned this lovely fall weekend?

Sponsor I want to highlight this week: